Coban Porter Arrested For Fatal Dui Crash
On Thursday afternoon, Coban Porter pleaded guilty to two felony counts in Denver District Court. The charges stem from a fatal crash that occurred in January 2023. Porter was driving drunk and ran a red light, striking the vehicle driven by 42-year-old Katharina Rothman. Rothman was killed in the crash, and her passenger was seriously injured. Porter pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide (DUI) and vehicular assault (DUI). As a result of the plea deal, his sentence will be capped at a maximum of eight years in prison. Porter is the younger brother of Nuggets star Michael Porter Jr. He was a member of the University of Denver men’s basketball team at the time of the crash.
I. The Fatal Crash
On January 22, 2023, Coban Porter ran a red light and struck the vehicle driven by 42-year-old Katharina Rothman. Rothman was pronounced dead at the scene. Porter was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.
According to the arrest affidavit, Porter was speeding, ran a red light, smelled of alcohol, and had slurred speech when he was arrested.
Here’s a table summarizing the key details of the crash:
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January 22, 2023 | 10:30 p.m. | Intersection of South University Boulevard and East Buchtel Boulevard |
The crash is still under investigation.
II. The Charges
Porter was charged with multiple felony counts, including vehicular homicide related to the crash that killed Rothman. He pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide (DUI) and vehicular assault (DUI). Charges of vehicular homicide-reckless driving and vehicular assault-reckless were dismissed.
Vehicular homicide (DUI) is a serious felony in Colorado. It is defined as causing the death of another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Vehicular assault (DUI) is also a felony, but it is less serious than vehicular homicide. It is defined as causing serious bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
| Charge | Description |
|---|---|
| Vehicular homicide (DUI) | Causing the death of another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
| Vehicular assault (DUI) | Causing serious bodily injury to another person while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs |
Porter’s plea deal means that he will not be convicted of vehicular homicide-reckless driving or vehicular assault-reckless. This is a significant concession by the prosecution, as these charges carry a higher potential sentence.
III. The Plea Deal
Porter’s plea deal means that he will not be convicted of vehicular homicide-reckless driving or vehicular assault-reckless. This is a significant concession by the prosecution, as these charges carry a higher potential sentence.
As a result of the plea deal, Porter’s sentence will be capped at a maximum of eight years in prison. He could also be sentenced to probation. Had he not taken the deal, he could have faced at least 24 years behind bars if convicted.
| Charge | Sentence |
|---|---|
| Vehicular homicide (DUI) | Up to 8 years in prison |
| Vehicular assault (DUI) | Probation or up to 8 years in prison |
Porter’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 19, 2023.
IV. Final Thought
The plea deal in the Coban Porter case is a reminder of the devastating consequences of drunk driving. Porter’s actions caused the death of an innocent woman and seriously injured another person. He will now face the consequences of his actions and will spend time in prison. The lawsuits that have been filed against Porter and the bar that allegedly overserved him are also important. These lawsuits send a message that businesses can be held accountable for serving alcohol to intoxicated patrons. We can prevent these senseless tragedies in the future by working together to educate people about the dangers of drunk driving and holding those who break the law accountable.
